We haven't done a comparison thread for a while, so I thought we'd do a non-obvious one. This may seem like a strange comparison, but I'd classify them as the "Themed MK Deluxe" resorts. They're a little more "interesting" (not necessarily better) than Contemporary or GF to me.
Obviously the WL is considerably cheaper. But there are plenty of pros and cons to each. What do you guys think?
I've not stayed at the Poly, so I can only speculate, however the price difference makes a big deal to me. I love the WL and I love the Poly, but WL is dramatically cheaper. It's not a monorail resort, but I think if I were going to step up to Poly level money, I'd probably stay in the Contemporary.
I've not stayed at the Poly, so I can only speculate, however the price difference makes a big deal to me. I love the WL and I love the Poly, but WL is dramatically cheaper. It's not a monorail resort, but I think if I were going to step up to Poly level money, I'd probably stay in the Contemporary.
That's the trouble I always run into with the Poly. For the same, or oftentimes less, money I can stay at the Contemporary and walk to the Magic Kingdom. Yeah, the Poly has a better theme and a cool beach and everything, but it's really hard to overcome walking to the MK.
cdub wrote:I've not stayed at the Poly, so I can only speculate, however the price difference makes a big deal to me. I love the WL and I love the Poly, but WL is dramatically cheaper. It's not a monorail resort, but I think if I were going to step up to Poly level money, I'd probably stay in the Contemporary.
That's the trouble I always run into with the Poly. For the same, or oftentimes less, money I can stay at the Contemporary and walk to the Magic Kingdom. Yeah, the Poly has a better theme and a cool beach and everything, but it's really hard to overcome walking to the MK.
That's a really good point. We chose to stay at the Poly last year because it had always been a dream resort of ours. If I were to compare the theme alone at WL and Poly, though, I think I'd choose WL. I also like that all the rooms are in one building vs having to walk between longhouses.
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2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian
They both have pretty great pool areas. The rooms are definitely larger in the Poly. Have the WL rooms been upgraded with flatscreens etc yet?
I'm not sure on the flatscreens. WL definitely has a moderate feel to the rooms. I think it was originally supposed to be a moderate, right?
Wilderness Lodge is absolutely gorgeous Disney resort as compare to Polynesian Resort. We stayed at both resorts and both are gorgeous but in comparison WL was better. WL was really luxurious and had beautiful location.
Best Regards,
Which do you think will the children enjoy most, Wilderness Lodge or Polynesian Resort? Aside from baby-sitting our 3 kids, 4 of their cousins will join them. We want to make sure that they'll be busy and enjoy their stay in Disney.
Young kids..the Poly...seeing the castle from the resort plus the monorail, Ohana and the beach..it's great!
Bella
Hi,
I've never stayed at the Polynesian, but I stayed at Wilderness Lodge November 30-December 8, 2005. One thing I discovered about the Poly is that it is extremely dark at night. I had a 6:30 pm ADR at 'Ohana during my trip in 2004; but instead of taking the monorail from the MK, I took the launch. Bad move; from the dock at the Polynesian I kept walking around in circles, unable to see well enough to find the Customs House, so was a half-hour late for the ressie, which Disney held.
For a low-priced deluxe, WL is one of the best Disney resorts, combining great theming with great service. I'll never forget the woman at the counter, Jackie, greeting me with "Welcome Home!" when I checked in on November 30, 2005, even though I do not own DVC; or the battle with food coma I lost a few days later after a Canyon Skillet for lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe. This is definitely an eatery where you run the risk of crossing that fine line between "pleasantly full" and "movement is possible but not a good idea".
Jim
I think a kids preference is probably going to depend on which style they like better. For me as a kid I would have LOVED the Wilderness Lodge. It played to all my childhood preferences. Poly would have been great too, but I wouldn't have been able to get enough of the Wilderness Lodge.
Thanks for this thread, y'all. I had no idea that WL was comparatively less expensive. I've always wanted to stay there. I haven't stayed at the Poly either, but of the "Big 3", it comes in 3rd for me behind the GF (stayed once) and the Contemporary (worked there 
)
Does the Poly have as many activities as the Wilderness Lodge? I've seen lots of activities like the duck races at the WL. The Lodges I think tend to have more activities than the other resorts.
LizzyB..how did I NOT know you were a CM???
Bella
I dunno...maybe I hadn't mentioned it? It's been a while. I worked at the Contemporary from 1997 to 1999. I moved to FL to take the job, and I actually met my husband working there! I loved the perks, but the pay was definitely low. And I think that's one of the reasons I love the Contemporary so much...kinda feels like home.
I dunno...maybe I hadn't mentioned it? It's been a while. I worked at the Contemporary from 1997 to 1999. I moved to FL to take the job, and I actually met my husband working there! I loved the perks, but the pay was definitely low. And I think that's one of the reasons I love the Contemporary so much...kinda feels like home.
Well I suppose you not mentioning it would be why! Haha, what did you do there? I love that you met DH there..that is cute!
Bella
I dunno...maybe I hadn't mentioned it? It's been a while. I worked at the Contemporary from 1997 to 1999. I moved to FL to take the job, and I actually met my husband working there! I loved the perks, but the pay was definitely low. And I think that's one of the reasons I love the Contemporary so much...kinda feels like home.
Well I suppose you not mentioning it would be why! Haha, what did you do there? I love that you met DH there..that is cute!
Bella
Culinary. I had this wild dream to go there and learn on the job, and then open my own specialty catering business. I had considered culinary school, but I had managed to graduate college debt-free, and I just wasn't willing to take on a bunch of student loans. I applied for the Disney Culinary Apprenticeship (now defunct), but didn't get in...however, they offered me a job. How weird is that? Not impressive enough to teach me, but good enough to put me to work! Haha - anyway, I learned tons, met my husband, and then moved to Atlanta to continue culinary for another year or so. That's when I sort of got burned out - turns out culinary isn't nearly as dreamy as Martha Stewart and Food Network made it seem, what with all the heavy lifting, repetition, busy-busy service times, and holidays on the job when you want to be with your own family - so I left and went back to using(-ish) my degree.
Wow - way TMI. But I enjoyed my time there. And walking around the park anytime I felt like it was awesome.
Culinary. I had this wild dream to go there and learn on the job, and then open my own specialty catering business. I had considered culinary school, but I had managed to graduate college debt-free, and I just wasn't willing to take on a bunch of student loans. I applied for the Disney Culinary Apprenticeship (now defunct), but didn't get in...however, they offered me a job. How weird is that? Not impressive enough to teach me, but good enough to put me to work! Haha - anyway, I learned tons, met my husband, and then moved to Atlanta to continue culinary for another year or so. That's when I sort of got burned out - turns out culinary isn't nearly as dreamy as Martha Stewart and Food Network made it seem, what with all the heavy lifting, repetition, busy-busy service times, and holidays on the job when you want to be with your own family - so I left and went back to using(-ish) my degree.
Wow - way TMI. But I enjoyed my time there. And walking around the park anytime I felt like it was awesome.
That is really awesome! I bet it was a great place to learn the trade though.
Bella